One summer night, Edward Alcott gives in to temptation and kisses Lady Julia Kenney in a dark garden. However, the passion she stirs within him is best left in the shadows as she weds his twin, the Earl of Greyling. But when tragedy strikes, to honor the vow he makes to his dying brother, Edward must pretend to be Greyling until the countess delivers her babe.

After her husband returns from a two-month sojourn, Julia finds him changed. Bolder, more daring, and more wicked—even if he does limit their encounters to kisses. With each passing day, she falls more deeply in love.

For Edward the embers of desire sparked on that long-ago night are quickly rekindled. He yearns to be her husband in truth. But if she discovers his ruse, she will despise him—and English law prevents him from marrying his brother’s widow. Yet he must dare to risk everything and reveal his secrets if he is to truly take all.

Review:

Okay, so I was pretty hesitant to start this book. I really wondered how killing off a twin (that we know and like from the previous book), having the other twin (the bolder, brasher one) pretend to be him was going to work out in the long run. Especially in the romance aspect, because, let me tell you, most women do not like that kind of trickery.

Turns out I should never doubt the magic that is Lorraine Heath. Because she somehow made it work out.

Don’t get me wrong though, this story got heartbreak and angst all over the place (and a lot of sexual tension), though there was some pretty adorable scenes, too. Edward is struggling with the death of his twin, but also having to be Albert and therefore losing a part of himself, too. Not only that, but he struggles with his feelings for Julia, who he technically would never have. Julia, on the other hand, is seeing a slightly different husband than before and is wondering how to deal with her new and different emotions and feelings. To top it all off, there’s so much scandal and controversy if anyone found out what was happening. But at the same time, there was an undeniable chemistry between them.

I liked that Heath made Edward and Julia’s relationship fairly realistic and gave them a real opportunity to progress, and not just as fake-Albert and Julia, but actually as Edward and Julia. I liked that we got to see Edward grow from a selfish rogue to a true hero that cares. I liked that Julia is a character you can empathize with. I also liked that Albert as a character was not simply thrown aside so that this romance happen.

Edward and Julia’s love story was not a typical one, but in the end, it was a happily ever after that I could truly root for. This book is definitely not one of the most cheerfullest romance, but if you are in need of one that’s emotional charged with a bit of controversy, that’s a little different from the norm, this is the one for you.

“Most are lucky to be loved once. Why should I be fortunate enough to be loved twice, to have happiness twice? I’m afraid fate will snatch it away if I reach for it again.”

“So I’ll be denied because you don’t trust fate? Fate can go to the devil, Julia. Place your trust in me.”

{* Thanks to Avon and Edelweiss for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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About Lorraine Heath

Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."

She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero--Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.

When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times